Electrolysis - no its not hair removal

[michel]

Doing some long overdue DIY on my car including finally reinstalling/upgrading the suspension, brakes and steering on my T (still   can't find any SC adjustable spring plates for reasonable money!!!)

 

so flapper boxes. was going to bead blast though at the good suggestion of a mate am trying this

 

note polarity is important lads...

 

 

 

 

[Harvs11]

Nice idea, Michel.  It gave me something to google, as if I need an excuse.   I found this good description of the process. Note the warning on polarity- get it wrong and your part disappears!!

 

http://www.wwgoa.com/removing-rust-with-electrolysis/

[Pauly]

Nice! What chemical? & how many volts & Amps?

[Guest michel]

precisely Harvs; beers and a late night shed stint is a recipe...while your googling you'll come across some guys in the US who make temp tanks and push rusted tractors in, using a large arc welder as the power source

 

after I have finished the electrolysis bath, ill neutralise it, bake it in the oven (while my lovely is out) and then repaint. If there is some persistent rust ill put it through the bead blaster. Should be almost good enough for another 40 years or so

 

another way to do it, is drop your part in molasses., i kid you not

[Guest michel]

Nice! What chemical? & how many volts & Amps?

 

washing soda and water, 12 volt battery charger, the amps varied -  nothing flash - you could try using other bigger power sources. Battery charges are good, as they have a cut out  in case of a short or other calamity

[michel]

should add you can wire in parallel a 12 volt battery helps with the process, some say 2 amps is good enough, I guess size of tank size of part may effect both.

[Mike D'Silva]

what exactly is washing soda? Is there a product in my local Coles or Woolies that is the same as washing soda?

[michel]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_carbonate

 

soda ash

washing soda

soda crystals

 

imagine your local grocer, hardware store or other online shop  - particularly if you want bulk

[Airhead]

 

note polarity is important lads..

Puts a new spin on the phrase 'Flash Mob'

[michel]

so had a few issues with the power supply. it did work particularly on the small parts springs etc

 

and I had great success on some chisels and planes.

 

 

though there was stil a bit of rust in the pitted areas and also alot of paint. While electrolysis, will lift or soften paint; as I am repainting I did this with the beadblaster  in readiness for a mate to powdercoat

 

 

[Coastr]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_carbonate

 

soda ash

washing soda

soda crystals

 

imagine your local grocer, hardware store or other online shop  - particularly if you want bulk

 

 

See also pool supplies section of local buntings etc

[michel]

finished article

 

 

 

 

[IAM_911]

I was doing the same thing to the exhaust pipes. Except I was trying to take it a step furtherand electropolish the stainless steel.

Not a geart picture but you can get the idea. A 10 year old 996 exhuast back to a shiny state from a dark brown one.

[IAM_911]

I was doing the same thing to the exhaust pipes. Except I was trying to take it a step furtherand electropolish the stainless steel.

Not a geart picture but you can get the idea. A 10 year old 996 exhuast back to a shiny state from a dark brown one.

[michel]

Very cool what solution were you using?

[IAM_911]

Electropolishing ss is nasty stuff. Useing sulfuric acid and 200amps.

I used a DC welding machine as a current source.

My advice is to pay electropolishing place and do not try it at home. I think it may have costed me less.

[Pauly]

Nice work!! 

[Merv]

Best looking flapper boxes I've seen.

[michel]

Best looking flapper boxes I've seen.

youre getting a bit personal these days merv